A “kiss-in” at Chick-fil-A tomorrow?

posted at 11:36 am on August 2, 2012 by Ed Morrissey

One day after having the best sales day in its history, Chick-fil-A will have to prepare itself for a counter-protest to yesterday’s “appreciation day” by those outraged over threats made by mayors and city council members in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York (Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not join his colleagues in the other cities). Supporters of same-sex marriage will stage “kiss-ins” at Chick-fil-A locations tomorrow, if a Facebook-organized protest succeeds:

Yesterday’s banner turnout at Chick-fil-A restaurants for free speech rights — with thousands of people nationwide and hundreds in the Bay State’s two locations lining up to buy chicken sandwiches — has turned up the heat on gay rights activists who hope to draw similar crowds for tomorrow’s kiss-in protest at the suddenly controversial fast-food chain.

“We planned an action a few years ago and we only expected 50 people but 500 showed. We’re crossing our fingers for that kind of support again,” said Ian Struthers of grassroots group Join the Impact Massachusetts, who plans to pucker up tomorrow at the Burlington Mall Chick-fil-A for national Same-Sex Kiss Day.

Gay rights advocates are using Facebook to organize the kiss-in in protest of Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s opposition to same-sex marriage and the millions of dollars they say the company has donated to anti-gay groups.

The Bay State group plans to hand out fake coupons to customers for a “free side of bigotry” during the Friday night protest.

Well, good luck with that — and I’m not being entirely flippant, either. This protest has been rumored since at least last week, before supporters loosely organized the “appreciation day” yesterday, but seem to be having difficulty coordinating it. Even if it does get off the ground tomorrow, it’s very unlikely to approach the level of support shown by fans of Chick-fil-A and/or free speech and free exercise of religious expression yesterday. A weak showing tomorrow would be worse than skipping the protest entirely, as we saw with the failed Occupy movements, whose spring offensive never materialized after being mostly ignored after the first couple of weeks of protesting last fall.

However, there is nothing wrong with protesting over Chick-fil-A’s political connections or ownership’s political views, as long as protestors obey the law in doing so. That is a perfectly acceptable free-speech, free-market approach to disagreement within commerce. I’d rather see kiss-ins than lawsuits, for instance, and certainly more than seeing politicians extort businessmen to support their political agendas, as is exactly what Thomas Menino and Rahm Emanuel attempted to do in Boston and Chicago, respectively. Protests that don’t block customers from accessing the business or act violently are a good release valve for a free society. Pro-life activists have picketed abortion mills for decades — and often had to fight courts for that same right. LGBT activists have just as much right to protest Chick-fil-A.

Huckabee said he sees nothing wrong with “National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A,” although he is skeptical of the strategy.

“Probably I won’t be there for that,” Huckabee said. “But so what? That’s America. As long as they’re orderly, as long as they don’t disrupt the flow of customers and traffic — if they believe that will help their cause, to put people of the same sex kissing each other in a public place in front of families, if they believe that will encourage people to be more sympathetic, then, you know, more power to them.

“In America, I believe people have a right to do things that I might not agree with,” he continued. “What I don’t want to do is shut down the voices of Christians because they don’t like those voices.”

In America, we used to take that for granted. Unfortunately, the cities of Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco elected politicians who forgot that America doesn’t require an oath to support The Party as a condition of engaging in commerce. In my new column for The Fiscal Times, I point out that this is an essential ingredient in America’s success from the start by guaranteeing equal treatment and regulation regardless of religious belief or political temperament, and that we risk a lot more than a missed chicken filet sandwich if we forget that:

Until now, we have welcomed people of all faiths and creeds into the marketplace as long as they observed rational and reasonable regulation intended to prevent fraud, theft, and abuse, but without trampling on their ability to abide by their beliefs. In return, a large number of people bring their capital and talent to our markets and generate wealth, jobs, stability, infrastructure, and an increased tax base to our communities. If we force these people to take their capital and exit these markets, it will result in seriously degraded economies, restriction on choice, fewer jobs, less demand, and a lower standard of living – not to mention keep some of the most talented people from addressing the difficult issues that we face.

Our founders understood that explicitly. They saw the disruptions and damage done by religious tests not just for office but also for commerce, and acted to ensure that our governments would not impose such systems on Americans. For more than two hundred years, that freedom transformed us into the most powerful nation in the world, economically, militarily, and politically. Imposing a test for political correctness that excludes tens of millions of faithful Americans cannot help but undermine all that progress as well as our natural rights as citizens.

If government has grown so powerful as to be able to impose and prosecute such tests, then that may be the clearest indication yet that government has grown too large and intrusive to the detriment of all.

Instapundit wrote today that he’s less worried about the impact on our economic health than on the First Amendment — and I agree. But it’s worth considering the kind of damage that the demand for political and religious orthodoxy as a condition of doing business will have on us in the long run.

Meanwhile, at Patheos, Fr. Dwight Longenecker marvels at the success of yesterday’s protest — and then decides it wasn’t really a protest as much as a rally as an expression of “ordinary” Americanism:

The Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day yesterday was historic. It was historic because it marks a new method of mass protest. I even hesitate to use the word ‘protest’ because it wasn’t a protest. There wasn’t any anger. There wasn’t any hate. There wasn’t any bullying. There were no unwashed crowds of unhappy people holding a sit in and causing other people stress, inconvenience and expense. There were no protest signs, no marches, no noise makers and attention grabbers. There were no revolutionary slogans, no clenched fists, no class warfare, no sullen adolescents in a stroppy mood.

The classic signs of a protest movement were absent. If they were not actually violent revolutions, the great protest movements in history have often had violent undertones. Subtle threats were made. Bullying tactics, financial and political pressure was exerted. Guns were wielded. Behind the scenes in smoke filled rooms men did deals and crossed swords to determine the future of millions. In the great revolutions hoards of unhappy people filled the streets, rioting and on the rampage they took what they wanted, killed who they wanted and in misplaced zeal for justice overturned an established order. …

Yesterday’s Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was the sort of ‘revolt’ this country needs, but it was even better than the non violent revolutions and peaceful protests which have changed the world because it was so ordinary. It was just plain, ordinary Americans getting in their cars and doing a plain, ordinary American thing: going out for lunch to a fast food joint. It was just plain, ordinary Americans doing something plain and ordinary, but positive and joyful and good. In buying an ordinary tasty chicken sandwich at their corner fast food emporium ordinary Americans were expressing the wish to be left alone to be ordinary Americans.

After two weeks of highly anti-American behavior by elected officials who should know better, it’s good to see Americans acting like Americans — especially in large numbers. That’s true even of the kiss-in, to whatever extent it succeeds. Let’s debate politics and religious values, while allowing everyone to come to market and make their own choices about who and what to engage there. That is what liberty is all about.

The keyword is “peaceful” in the narrative above. From past observation of liberal protests, they are anything but peaceful. They usually devolve into morally reprehensible acts, vandalism, theft, assault, battery, and vulgar, foul-mouthed language. Not to mention the filth they leave behind when they are finished.

Don’t say this very often, but Huckabee is right. The only point of the dumb Kiss-In thing is to antagonize. I’m sure they’ll have people do it in some of the more urban, lib areas, but it won’t be the widespread support you saw yesterday.

The bottom line is people are tired of the Left trying to shut everyone else up. Yesterday had very little to do with gay marriage.

“Probably I won’t be there for that,” Huckabee said. “But so what? That’s America. As long as they’re orderly, as long as they don’t disrupt the flow of customers and traffic — if they believe that will help their cause, to put people of the same sex kissing each other in a public place in front of families, if they believe that will encourage people to be more sympathetic, then, you know, more power to them.

Hilarious. Second look at Huckabee. He has handled this entire issue with great humor and shrewdness. I didn’t know he had it in him.

I guess they think CFA patrons will cringe in horror or something. Let’s be clear here. Not one homosexual has been denied a chicken sandwich because of their sexual orientation. There beef (no pun intended) is with corporation, not the franchisees or the people working there. Stupid stuff like a kiss off is meaningless.

This will work to Romney’s advantage. He needs the evangelical, conservative base to be fired up and these stories (obviously as per yesterday’s turnout) fire up the Christian conservative base. Whether people show up to vote against the left or for Romeny all works to Mitt’s advantage. He can’t keep this story in the news too long.

Yesterday’s Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was the sort of ‘revolt’ this country needs, but it was even better than the non violent revolutions and peaceful protests which have changed the world because it was so ordinary.

Personally I think it was a temporary substitute for the voting booth.

I’m willing to bet most who “protested” yesterday simply can’t wait to get to the polls in November. This was a way to get out and voice their opinion now … a “snack” to hold them over until November when they can get the extra-large #1 combo with a sweet tea at their local precinct.

You know the slimestream media will exaggerate and embellish their coverage and show how totally math-challenged they are by grossly overestimating the numbers of kisser-protestors out of all proportion to reality.

Ckick-fil-a should turn the tables on the protesters by turning the kiss-in into a kissing contest with the winners getting free sammiches.
NancyWhisky on August 2, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Maybe not go that far, but bringing out some free drinks and sandwiches for some protestors thus making a public demonstration of kindness and tolerance would be a VERY business savy move. They need to make sure they have some of their own cameras around to document it though.

CFA outlets were swarming with people yesterday. Where were the riots, the police having to resort to tear gas, the looting, etc. Compare yesterday’s turnout with OWS.

Mark my words, yesterday’s appreciation day is a bellweather for November. And if I were Obama, I’d be concerned. The narrative of hate chicken is not playing and he’s banking on those gay votes. They thought they had a slam dunk by all those mayors coming out and attacking. Instead, they mobilized the silent majority.

This can’t be what Team Obama is looking forward to. Joe Biden’s big mouth made Obama man up to a decision he was probably going to announce to great hoopla at the Dems convention. Now Rahm has backed the gays agenda against CFA and the push back yesterday is going to take a toll on Obama. And when they put the gay agenda in their platform at their convention, this will erode Obama’s support even further. It’s puzzling because the gays will support Obama anyway but their efforts to heap scorn and derision on those who don’t support gay marriage on a non-stop basis are going to cost Obama plenty in November. It’s all going to backfire!

I pray that someone who is not part of the Kiss-In doesn’t get goaded into saying or doing something that the LSM can turn into “hate”. I pray that everyone who goes to Chick-fil-A tomorrow as a non-protester can keep their calm and be extraordinarily nice to the Kiss-In folks. Maybe buy them a drink or a cookie.

I pray that someone who is not part of the Kiss-In doesn’t get goaded into saying or doing something that the LSM can turn into “hate”. I pray that everyone who goes to Chick-fil-A tomorrow as a non-protester can keep their calm and be extraordinarily nice to the Kiss-In folks. Maybe buy them a drink or a cookie.

Maybe Obama and Biden,and Hillary and Pelosi will join the protest and kiss to show support.Can you imagine the mess those poor Chik-Fil-A workers will have on their hands after so many customers barf up their meals?

Yesterday at one of the Chick Fil A’s in Charlottesville Virginia only 4 protesters showed up all day while hundreds of supporters showed up to buy food.

Charlottesville is probably one of the most liberal gay-friendly cities in the state and all they could muster up was 4 people? (And one of those protesters didn’t really know what she was protesting, she assumed it was because Chick Fil A wouldn’t hire or serve gay people)

. As long as they’re orderly, as long as they don’t disrupt the flow of customers and traffic — if they believe that will help their cause, to put people of the same sex kissing each other in a public place in front of families, if they believe that will encourage people to be more sympathetic, then, you know, more power to them.

…Yeah that’s going to happen!…(wonder if moroninthemiddle will get arrested tomorrow?)

unlike most other Ho-mo-sex-u-als, i had a very happy chidhood and have loads of other interests to keep myself busy. plus, a purse doesn’t fall out of my mouth when i talk, so the majority of folks i encounter have no idea what “preference” i have. i also do not have the need to shove those “preferences” into innocent peoples faces. i’ll be watching Total Recall at the theatre tomorrow while the rest of them make fools of themselves.

If I see two guys or girls kissing each other in a Chick-fil-A tomorrow, I acknowledge their right to do so. Just like they should acknowledge my right to throw up my just eaten chicken sandwich all over them.

Am I homophobic? No, I just want them to keep their perversions to themselves, and not try to spin it as being normal.

It’s puzzling because the gays will support Obama anyway but their efforts to heap scorn and derision on those who don’t support gay marriage on a non-stop basis are going to cost Obama plenty in November. It’s all going to backfire!

It wasn’t about votes, IMHO, it was about money for the Obama campaign.

The little guys aren’t giving this year and Wall Street has defected to Romney, so the only people willing to give were the big-money gay donors, like the David Geffens, who insisted on a public policy change before they’d donate.

It will backfire. If you want to be gay then be gay. If you get in peoples face with it they pushback. That’s what part of yesterday’s support was about. If you don’t like the views of the owner don’t go there. I think it will alienate the folks who did not have an opinion, good or bad about gay’s. Just sayin.

i’ll be watching Total Recall at the theatre tomorrow. unlike other ho-mo-sex-u-als i had a very happy childhood and i have lots of interests to keep myself busy rather than make a fool of myself and shove my sexual preference in innocent people’s faces.

Obama could defuse this entire situation by making it a “Sister Soldjah” moment and taking CFA’s side, acknowledging that like he used to, people can have disagreements on this and the govt. has no business dictating where businesses can locate based on opinions of an owner. There is really no down side and he comes out as best he can. It also helps distance him from the “looney far-left” which he needs very much to do. But he won’t do it.

Chick-fil-A managers should be instructed to treat gay kissing couples just as they would hetero kissing couples. They want equality – fine.

Lewd behavior in public is not a protected right. A kiss is fine. Prolonged “making out” in line, etc., is not tolerated from hetero couples in most establishments by management, due to other customers’ – especially children’s – right not to have to tolerate lewd public behavior.

Sure, it would cause an outcry to eject lewd homo couples. Some would say it would play right into their hands.

But I don’t think that in the name of tolerance it sets a good example for any restaurant that’s not specifically an “adult” restaurant to allow lewd public behavior.

Managers should be ready to eject lewd customers and police should be ready to arrest them if they refuse to leave. Let it play on the news – that’s fine. Let them whine for their rights to be lewd in public; it will outrage the majority and only hurt their cause.

Until now, we have welcomed people of all faiths and creeds into the marketplace as long as they observed rational and reasonable regulation intended to prevent fraud, theft, and abuse, but without trampling on their ability to abide by their beliefs.

This is so cynical. Haha. Of course you are forgetting the other %99 of the story regarding color, place of origin, gender and America before civil rights. Let’s reflect on all those 19th century Black, Indian and female captains of industry! Celebrate Chinese Railroad Magnate history month! So stupid.

Our founders understood that explicitly.

Yes they were all knowing! This is a chicken fried homo attack on the perfectly formed and knowing founders!

Kinda reminds me of the trip to San Francisco my parents took us on circa 1970. At a park I said we must have stumbled onto one of those pre-planned “Love-Ins” we’d heard so much about back in Podunk Palookaville. Dad said nope, they were just making out in public ’cause it’s Tuesday. Heh.

Going to swing by tomorrow for some breakfast. Local talk radio was mentioning that others plan to do the same. It’s fine if the gay community wants to shove their tongues down each other’s throats tomorrow but it’s not going to stop me (and others) from continuing to support Chick-Fil-A. I almost think they are hoping we’ll all be too grossed out or something and we’ll take our business elsewhere. I think they will be in for a surprise.

Lots of flags were being waved in the parking lot, dinner time. Lots of service people and their families were present in the lines.

Yesterday’s Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was the sort of ‘revolt’ this country needs, but it was even better than the non violent revolutions and peaceful protests which have changed the world because it was so ordinary.

It was extraordinary in that it showed a minimatessimal window into what will silently happen on Nov. 6. There will not be one person who will not be shocked, except those who don’t think, or are not able to.

A weak showing tomorrow would be worse than skipping the protest entirely, as we saw with the failed Occupy movements, whose spring offensive never materialized after being mostly ignored after the first couple of weeks of protesting last fall.

..damned if they do and damned if they don’t. I kinda like it — especially the Christian/Purgatory/Hell connotations.

Of course, what you were seeing yesterday (he said for the 453rd time) is a manifestation of the seething, roiling rage that the common, ordinary folk have at being disrespected, slapped around, and brutalized by their government and the flagrant (no pun intended) left. Expect more of same on 6 November.

A cancelled or diminutive “counter protest” (pun intended) by same-sex liplockers display well be a metaphor for the flaccid, wimpy turnout by the left — and might be indicative of their enthusiasm on election day as well. (Remember that odious PDA in the White House last month?)

Oh yes, and by the way, I will be seeking other alternatives to Mr Clean too!